Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida
The Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida is the only one of ten Houses of Refuge remaining standing that were built by the U.S. Treasury Department in 1876. Combined with the Life Saving Service, this House of Refuge was one of the earliest U.S. Coast Guard installations. The original keepers of the house provided shelter, food, clothing, and transportation to survivors of shipwrecks and storms at sea.
During World War II, the U.S. Navy built a tower as a lookout for German U-Boats. It was decommissioned after the war.
In 1955, Martin County purchased the House and the land. The Martin County Historical Society operates the current museum and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was restored in 1976. The House of Refuge Beach is open to the public and is used by locals and visitors for swimming and fishing.
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